The Isle of Wight’s cheeky ‘jank punk’ duo The Pill speak to CLASH about the bothersome self-appointed gatekeepers of punk music, their embrace of humor in their songs, and the challenges of being part of a band while living on an island.
The Pill finds great satisfaction in annoying the self-proclaimed guardians of punk rock music, who are largely middle-aged men inundating their Instagram with irate comments.
“Ohhh yeahhh,” Lily Hutchings and Lottie Massey respond playfully in unison when asked if this is true, a spontaneous yet perfectly synchronized reply that reflects both their mission as a band and their close friendship.
“That’s one of my favorite parts of being in a band,” continues guitarist and singer Lily, to which bassist Lottie adds, “every day, there are so many angry men. ‘This isn’t punk’ etc. Well, I wasn’t fucking asking you. The issue is with social media; after a bottle of wine, I get completely tipsy and just think ‘I wasn’t actually asking you, you stupid man’ [in a mocking nasal voice], or I lean into it like ‘oh wow, you know so much about punk music that I don’t’.” They find joy in it, but it can get intense. “As a woman, if you’re upsetting men, you’re doing something right.”
“It’s amusing that we’ve started seeing some people wear our merch,” Lily adds, stifling a laugh. “It’s hilarious to see middle-aged men in a t-shirt that says ‘I’m just a girl with big tits’. It’s incredible. Those are probably the guys going home saying we’re fucking awful online.”
Later that evening, the Isle of Wight duo performed a hometown concert for Independent Venue Week at Strings in Newport, the island's capital. Witnessing attendees double-take at the band's t-shirt slogans like ‘Bimbo, Butthole, Tits’ as they entered the venue was undoubtedly a funny sight.
Across their five singles to date – the latest being ‘Problem’, a bouncy sub-two-minute track filled with satirical cheerleading – The Pill have aimed to satirize local attitudes toward women and the stereotypes associated with them, poking fun at life's absurdities and their own romantic escapades. Their knowingly cute, mocking vocal style invites listeners to chuckle along. By naming themselves after a contraceptive, they aimed for a girl-centric theme that might make men feel slightly uncomfortable when explained.
In the chilly corridors of the venue during the interview, Lily and Lottie radiate the energy of a comedic duo with witty senses of humor, bouncing ideas off each other and the metaphorical walls. Initially rivals in school – “I was such a jealous little ratbag,” confesses Lottie – the two soon became close friends and have nearly been inseparable since. After Lottie lists her influences including Amyl and the Sniffers, The Slits, and PC Music, Lily mentions hers: “A bit niche. Rain sounds, some atmospheric things. No lyrics, just vibes.”
“We can’t be serious,” Lily remarks. Writing songs with a humorous, satirical edge comes naturally to them, as they cringe at the idea of being overly serious in their music. Growing up on an island, where knowing everyone in your age group is rare, amplifies the fear of being judged and mocked. “I think because there are so few of us, there's a feeling of being singled out if you attempt something serious,” she elaborates. “There must be an edge to everything to maintain face.” “If I wrote a serious song, I’d be super embarrassed,” Lottie concurs, then admits, “even though I mostly listen to serious music.”
The band’s inception back in 2019 was somewhat of a joke, a wild idea birthed in their bedrooms due to procrastination. Various life events – including the pandemic – stalled significant progress, resulting in a five-year wait to release their first track.
Initially, Lily barely knew how to play guitar. “I started with the flute and piano. We formed the band on a whim, so I had to pick up the guitar. I didn’t learn much beyond the basics, and that’s totally fine.” In 2023, they collaborated with local producer Boe Weaver at Empire Studios through a family connection. “My grandad was working on a rock covers album. Shout out to Mike Reader,” Lottie remembers. “For his 70th birthday, we gifted him studio time. While looking to record some demos, Boe reached out, and we've been with Empire ever since. They’re like our music dads.”
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The Isle of Wight's irreverent 'jank punk' duo, The Pill, share with CLASH their thoughts on the self-proclaimed guardians of punk music and the importance of incorporating humor into their work.